The Rev

Born in a three-room house, bathroom in the backyard, slop jar by the bed, no hot and cold running water. I understand. Wallpaper used for decoration? No. For a windbreaker. I understand. I’m a working-person’s person. That’s why I understand you, whether you’re Black or white. I understand work. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had a shovel programmed for my hand.

— Jesse Jackson, Keep Hope Alive speech at the Democratic National Convention, 1988

Each day we wake up to some new assault on our democratic institutions, another setback to the idea of the rule of law, an offense to common decency. Every day, you wake up to new things you just didn't think were possible. Each day we're told by those in high office to fear each other and to turn on each other, and that some Americans count more than others, and that some don't even count it all.

— Barack Obama at the funeral service for Reverend Jesse Jackson

tells you everything you need to know about Mike Johnson and his gross disregard for our Constitution and our democracy.

— NAACP President Derrick Johnson, commenting on the decision to deny a Capitol Rotunda lie-in-honor for Jesse Jackson.

I’ve seen more faithful people here than the people you see on TV — the big names, the celebrity pastors.

— The Rev. Marcus Jackson speaks about faith in the community during the 100th anniversary of the New Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.

I can abhor the violence that took your life, but I don’t have to celebrate how you chose to live.

— Rev. Howard-John Wesley speaks on the honor of the deceased Charlie Kirk and the moral implications of his way of life.

We must say 'no' to the war of words and images. We must reject the paradigm of war.

— Pope Leo XIV, during his first papal press conference at the Vatican

I chose to live here, in Room 201, because when I took possession of the papal apartment, inside myself I distinctly heard a 'no.' The papal apartment is not luxurious, but it is large. I need to live among people.

— Pope Francis explained in a past interview why he chose a modest residence.